Why benzene is dangerous

It can be released into air via sprays and aerosols, mists, or vapors which can be especially harmful in an agricultural setting. It can also be found in contaminated water or food. It is highly flammable with a very low flash point. It is heavier than air, so during a leak it tends to be found down low in sewer areas where it can pool. Benzene poisoning occurs after the chemical is swallowed, inhaled or touched with exposed skin.

If you or someone you love has been exposed to benzene, immediate action must be taken following contact. Ingesting the substance, for example, can cause discomfort in the stomach and a loss of appetite. It can also cause a myriad of digestive symptoms, including:. Breathing in benzene, will affect you differently.

For example, breathing in high levels of benzene could result in:. Long-term exposure of over a year or more to benzene is not safe. It can cause excessive bleeding, a significantly reduced and ineffective immune system and anemia. Women may experience irregular menstrual cycles and it can affect fertility levels.

The Department of Health and Human Services has also warned that long-term exposure to benzene can cause blood cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma. If you think you may have been exposed to benzene, the first step is to seek professional medical assistance.

Exposure to benzene increases the risk of developing leukemia and other blood disorders. Try to limit exposure to gasoline fumes. For workers who may be exposed to benzene on the job, the U. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has information about how you can protect yourself and what to do if you are exposed. Menu Contact Dictionary Search. Understanding Cancer.

What Is Cancer? Cancer Statistics. Cancer Disparities. Cancer Causes and Prevention. Risk Factors. Cancer Prevention Overview. Cancer Screening Overview.

Screening Tests. Diagnosis and Staging. Questions to Ask about Your Diagnosis. Types of Cancer Treatment. Side Effects of Cancer Treatment. Clinical Trials Information. A to Z List of Cancer Drugs. Questions to Ask about Your Treatment.

Feelings and Cancer. Adjusting to Cancer. Day-to-Day Life. Support for Caregivers. Questions to Ask About Cancer. Choices for Care. Talking about Your Advanced Cancer.

Planning for Advanced Cancer. Advanced Cancer and Caregivers. Questions to Ask about Advanced Cancer. Managing Cancer Care. These individuals not only are less able to fight off even low-grade infections, they are also more susceptible to leukemia. Even expensive and risky bone marrow transplants offer no guarantees, which is why legal compensation tends to be significant in these benzene exposure cases as well.

Benzene is one of the most commonly-used chemicals in the United States and also one of the most dangerous ones. We do not charge upfront legal fees in negligence cases.

Do you need assistance with a legal matter? Our attorneys have the experience needed to guide you in the right direction. For all other inquiry types, please Contact Us or call Share This:. Benzene Exposure 9 myeloid leukemia 4 Testosterone Treatment 3. If the benzene release was indoors, get out of the building. Removing your clothing Quickly take off clothing that may have benzene on it. Any clothing that has to be pulled over the head should be cut off the body instead of pulled over the head.

If you are helping other people remove their clothing, try to avoid touching any contaminated areas, and remove the clothing as quickly as possible. Washing yourself As quickly as possible, wash any benzene from your skin with large amounts of soap and water. Washing with soap and water will help protect people from any chemicals on their bodies.

If your eyes are burning or your vision is blurred, rinse your eyes with plain water for 10 to 15 minutes. If you wear contacts, remove them after washing your hands and put them with the contaminated clothing. Do not put the contacts back in your eyes even if they are not disposable contacts. If you wear eyeglasses, wash them with soap and water. You can put your eyeglasses back on after you wash them.

Disposing of your clothes After you have washed yourself, place your clothing inside a plastic bag. Avoid touching contaminated areas of the clothing. Anything that touches the contaminated clothing should also be placed in the bag.

Seal the bag, and then seal that bag inside another plastic bag. Disposing of your clothing in this way will help protect you and other people from any chemicals that might be on your clothes. When the local or state health department or emergency personnel arrive, tell them what you did with your clothes.

The health department or emergency personnel will arrange for further disposal. Do not handle the plastic bags yourself.